Moving means for building blocks



1951 A. R. FALKNER Q 2,564,357

MOVING MEANS FOR BUILDING BLOCKS F'iledMarch 15, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1HL 5527- ,8 F44 KNEE.

A. R. FALKNER MOVING MEANS FOR BUILDING BLOCKS Aug. 14, 1951 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 15, 1947 @CDOGQQC) 645527 E. FkLK/VER.

Patented Aug. 14, I 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I7 Claims.

My invention is an improvement in block lifting and moving means forclamping a series of side by side building blocks, either solid orcored, of the general type disclosed in my prior Patent No. 2,369,727.

The present invention utilizes fluid pressure, as air, for raising andlowering the load, block clamping means actuated by a single lever inoperative relation to an opposing abutment, or a pair of such leversoperating towards or from each other, a single fluid actuated cylinderfor either of such types, and means for applying and releasing pressurethereto and therefrom, as shall be more particularly described.

In the drawings, showing certain preferred constructions.

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of the single lever form in holdingposition with a series of blocks.

Fig. 2 is an end view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a cross section on line III-III of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is view like Fig. 1 showing the double lever type of machine, andas adapted to engage the endmost of a series of blocks through theircore openings.

Fig. 5 is an end view of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail cross section on the line VIVI of Fig. 4.

Fig. '7 shows in plan view a row of cored blocks in position forclamping.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the supporting frame consists of a pair ofspaced apart structural bars, as angle bars 2, to one end of which isconnected in any suitable manner, an operating manipulating frame 3. Atone end of bars 2 is connected a rigidly attached downwardly extendingclamping shoe 4 adapted to engage the outermost one of a series ofblocks A.

The opposite end of framing 2 is provided with an angular shape lever 5pivotally mounted between the bars 2, as at 6. The lever 5 dependsdownwardly by arm I and is pivotally connected, as by bolt 8, with thedouble sides 9, of a clamping shoe I0, having a widened face engageableagainst the opposite endmost block A.

The lever 5 is provided with an inwardly extending arm II provided witha cam-like under inclined face I2. Operation of the lever is by outwardmovement of roller I3 pivotally mounted, as by cross bolt I4, betweenthe sides of a carriage I5.

The carriage is provided with a terminal supporting roller or wheel I6pivotally mounted, as at IT, and movable along the upper edges offramework 2, as a track.

The actuating element for carriage I5 is a piston or plunger I8 on theinner end of rod I9 retracted by spring 20, within an operating cylinder2 I. The cylinder 2| is firmly connected with the framing 2 in anysuitable manner, as by lower extensions 22, thus providing lifting andlowering connection with air cylinder 23.

- The cylinder 23 is connected with the cylinder 2| by cross pin or bolt24, and interfitting flange 25 and cylinder extensions 26.

A pressure line 21 leads from a compressor or pump, not shown, forsupply and exhaust to and from cylinder 2 I, and also to the upperportion of lifting cylinder 23, by branch pipe 28.

A rigid rod 29 depends from any suitable upper support, as a crane, forlateral swinging, and is provided with a piston or plunger 30. Pressurefrom supply line 21 to the cylinder 23, or exhaust therefrom, iscontrolled by a three way valve 3| controlled by suitable means, as alever 32 and operating connection 33, leading to the operating extension3. By such means the entire frame 2 and its parts may be raised andlowered, for transporting the load of blocks A.

Likewise, with valve 3| closed, a similar three way valve 34 in pressurepipe 21, having lever 35 and similar connection 36, controls pressure toand exhaust from cylinder 2|.

As thus equipped, the frame 2, with lever 5 in receded position, islowered into embracing position as in Fig. 1, and with valve 3| closed,and application of pressure on piston I8 by opening valve 34, roller I3is advanced, bringing clamping pressure between shoes I0 and 4.

With valve 34 closed, lifting pressure is applied to cylinder 23, whenthe load may then be elevated and swung to the delivery station, and theblocks released by spring retraction of piston I8 and loweringgravitation of arm II, followed by outward releasing movement of shoeIll.

The construction of Fig. 4 is generally similar, adapting the machinefor core engagement by the entrance terminal gripping shoes into thecore openings of endmost blocks A.

In such construction, I utilize a pair of levers 5, each generallysimilar to the lever of Fig. l, and similarly identified.

In such case, however, the terminal shoes Illa, while similarly pivotedto lever arm I, are provided with inner rounded edges 31 forinterfitting engagement inwardly with the concaved ends of the cores ofthe endmost blocks, as in Fig. 4.

Other working parts are generally the same as above described, exceptthat cylinder 2|a is slightly longer, and is provided with twooppositely acting pistons [8a, slightly separated at the middle forequal application of pressure.

In such case, pressure lin 2'! may be connected with the cylinder at theside, for clearance, with corresponding branch connections andcontrolling valves as previously described.

The contacting rounded faces 31 are preferably faced with a suitablewearing covering, as steelite, for goodcontact and wear endurance.

In order to provide the machine for use with groups of difierent sizeblocks, and resulting variation in ultimate space between the shoes, oneor more additional pivoting bolt holes, as at 38, may be providedthrough the frame.

It will also be obvious that if desired, ordinary fiat faced shoes maybe substituted, like shoe ID, for outer endmost clamping, in place ofthe core engaging shoes.

Thus, the double lever construction may be used with outside or endmostflat clamping shoes, if desired.

It will be obvious that with either construction, a considerablenumberof blocks, both solid and cored, may be quickly clamped between the endshoes, raised and moved laterally, to any desired location, andreleased.

While the first form of the invention requires a limited clearancebeyond the blocks for grasping, the second construction requires nonefor lowering, grasping, and moving. Although such type of machineillustrates use and application to cubical blocks, it will be understoodthat other shapes and sizes may as easily be engaged and moved, forinstance 8 x 8" X 16", or others, and with one, two or three coreopenings.

Another advantage in engaging a block or blocks by insertion Within thecore, is that it prevents any injury or disturbance to any outer face ofthe blocks, especially when they are not entirely cured.

Notice is given of my Divisional Application Serial No. 16,485, filedMarch 23, 1948, now U. S. Patent No. 2,527,922.

What I claim is:

1. Block clamping and moving means comprising a frame having at oppositeends a lever provided with a block-engaging shoe, a carriage for eachlever, a roller on each carriage engaging the associated lever, saidcarriages being mounted for spreading and closing linear movements, anda motor arranged between said carriages for moving said carriages toactuate said levers together.

2. Clamping and moving means for blocks having core openings, said meanscomprising a frame having at each of opposite ends a lever provided witha block-engaging shoe insertible in a core opening to engage a block, acarriage for each lever, a roller on each carriage engaging theassociated lever, said carriages being mounted for spreading and closinglinear movements, and a motor arranged between said carriages for movingsaid carriages to actuate said levers together.

3. In combination, a supporting frame having at opposite end portions apivotally mounted L shape lever having a downwardly extendingblock-engaging shoe and an inwardly extending actuating arm, anintervening oppositely acting motor having wedging roller portionsengaging each actuating arm, a raising and lowering member connectedwith the motor, and means connecting the motor with the frame.

4. In combination, a supporting frame having at opposite end portions apivotally mounted L shape lever having a downwardly extendingblock-engaging shoe, and an inwardly extending actuating arm having aninclined face; an intervening oppositely acting motor, outwardlyextending carriages extending from opposite ends of the motor operablebetween the frame and the inwardly extending arms, each provided with aroller engaging each inclined face of the arms, and means for raisingand lowering the frame and its parts.

5. Clamping and moving means for blocks having core openings, said meanscomprising a frame having at each of opposite ends a pivotally mounted Lshape lever having a downwardly extending block-engaging shoe insertiblein a core opening to engage a block and an inwardly extending actuatingarm having an inclined face; an intervening oppositely acting motor,outwardly extending carriages extending from opposite ends of the motoroperable between the frame and the inwardly extending arms, eachprovided with a roller engaging each inclined face of the arms, andmeans for raising and lowering the frame and its parts.

6.111 combination with, a supporting frame provided at each end with anshape lever pivoted in the frame having a terminal shoe insertible inthe core opening of a block and an inwardly extending lever arm, a motorcylinder, oppositely acting pistons each having an outwardly extendingcarriage, a rolleron each carriage engageable with each lever arm, meansconnecting the cylinder with the frame, a raising and lowering cylinderconnected with the motor cylinder, an upper supporting rod extendingthrough the end of the raising and lowering cylinder provided with aplunger, a fluid supply conduit connected with the motor cylinderbetween its pistons, and a supply and exhaust connection between thefluid supply conduit and the raising and lowering cylinder between itsend and the rod plunger.

7. In combination with a supporting frame provided at each end With an Lshape lever pivoted in the frame having a terminal shoe insertible inthe core opening of a block and an inwardly extending lever arm, a motorcylinder, oppositely actin pistons each having an outwardly extendingcarriage, a roller on each carriage engageable with each lever arm,means connecting the cylinder with the frame, a raising and loweringcylinder connected with the motor cylinder, an upper supporting rodextending through the end of the raising and lowering cylinder providedwith a plunger, a fluid supply conduit connected with the motor cylinderbetween its pistons, and a supply and exhaust connection between thefluid supply conduit and the raising and lowering cylinder between itsend and the rod plunger with supply and exhaust valves therefor.

ALBERT R. FALKNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Straight Aug. 12, 1924

